System and method for user communication in a network

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for user communication in an online community and/or website are provided. User profile data may be accessed to from a memory. An analysis system compares the user profile data for the user with a time-dependent goal to determine a result. The time-dependent goal may be determined based on an analysis of a set of (successful) users. A user interface system generates a representation of the result for prompting the user to initiate a communication to a different user based on the time-dependent goal. The representation may comprise a metered representation indicating an amount of progress, by the user, toward the time-dependent goal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates in general to the field of communications and,more particularly, to a system and a method for prompting users in anetwork environment to initiate social interactions.

BACKGROUND

Online communities allow users a convenient platform to locate oneanother, post content, and communicate with one another. In certainonline communities, users are matched with one another based on themutual interests of the users (e.g., matching a job candidate to anemployment opportunity, matching members in an online dating). In thecase of an online dating service, during a search for a potential datingmatch, a user may communicate with other users using various modes ofcommunication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present disclosure andfeatures and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, whereinlike reference numerals represent like parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a network diagram showing an operating environment of thepresent disclosure, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2J are simplified screen shots of an example protocol forparticipating in an on-line dating service in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of an embodiment of a system for usercommunication on a website according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary logic or a method for determining goalsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary logic or a method for comparing user datato a goal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary logic or a method for generating arepresentation of a result of comparing user data to a goal according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary graph of user profile data and slidingtime windows in which the data are analyzed;

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate example screen shots that may be provided in anonline dating process to facilitate presentation of information to andreceiving input from users to facilitate communication on a website;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary window for soliciting a user tosubscribe to a website;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example screen shots that may be provided in anonline dating process to facilitate presentation of information to andreceiving input from users to facilitate communication on a website;

FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate exemplary graphs of a result of comparing userprofile data to a goal; and

FIGS. 12A-12C, 13 and 14 illustrate example screen shots that may beprovided in an online dating process to facilitate presentation ofinformation to and receiving input from users to facilitatecommunication using a mobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Overview

Methods and systems for user communication in a network, onlinecommunity, and/or website are provided. User profile data (orinformation derived from the user profile data) may be accessed to froma memory. An analysis system compares the user profile data for the userwith a time-dependent goal to determine a result. For example, thetime-dependent goal may include a number of communications initiatedwithin a period of time. The comparing may be performed by an analysissystem in a sliding time window. For example, comparing the user profiledata for the user with the time-dependent goal may at a first point intime, comparing the user profile data for the user with thetime-dependent goal within a first period of time; and at a second pointin time, comparing the user profile data for the user with thetime-dependent goal within a second period of time. In such an example,the second point in time may be subsequent to the first point in time.

The time-dependent goal may be determined based on an analysis of a setof (successful) users. Determining a user's performance against atime-dependent goal advantageously provides a benchmark for determininga degree of initiative taken by a user to seek out and proactivelyengage other users in communication over time, e.g., by initiatingcommunication with other users (in some cases with no prompting by theother users).

The time-dependent goal may comprise more than one goal. For example,the time-dependent goal may comprise a first goal (e.g., short-term goalvalue) corresponding to a first period of time (e.g., a short period oftime) and a second goal (e.g., a long-term goal value) corresponding toa second period of time (e.g., a long period of time). In one example,the short period of time is equal to about 7 days and the long period oftime is equal to about 30 days. The period of time and/or the goals mayrelate to one another according to a ratio. For example, the short-termgoal value may be equal to a predetermined percentage (e.g., 25% or 50%)of the long-term goal value. The short period of time may be equal to apredetermined percentage (e.g., 25%) the long period of time.Advantageously, a long-term goal may be divided into smaller, and moreeasily attainable, short-term goals thereby helping to motivate userwhile simultaneously reducing the likelihood of overwhelming them with adegree of difficulty of a long-term goal.

In an embodiment, a time-dependent goal, a number of communicationsinitiated, a period of time, a short-term goal, a long-term goal, and/orany other information related to defining a goal are predetermined basedon an analysis of user profile data for at least one further(successful) user.

A user interface system generates a representation of the result forprompting the user to initiate a communication to a different user basedon the time-dependent goal. For example, the representation may comprisea metered representation indicating an amount of progress, by the user,toward the time-dependent goal. The user interface system may generate,in response to receiving a user selection of the representation, afurther representation of the result for simultaneous display with therepresentation. For example, a user interface component containing adetailed bar graph of the result may drop-down or appear, in response tothe user selection. The representation, the metered representation,and/or the further representation may include at least one of a message,a graph, a semicircular bar graph, a vertical bar graph, a horizontalbar graph, a meter, a button, text output, a completed percentage towardthe time-dependent goal, or an audio signal. The user interface systemmay, in response to the user initiating a new communication, immediatelyupdate the representation to include data associated with the newcommunication.

In an online dating context, the user profile data for the user maycomprise user profile data from a dating website. The user profile datafor the user may be indicative of a dating interest of the user. Forexample, a communication (e.g., messaging, winking, liking, favoring),when sent from the user to the different user on a dating website, maybe indicative of a positive dating interest of the user in the differentuser.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a network diagram showing an operating environment of thepresent disclosure, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. To illustrate the operating environment, FIG. 1 shows asimplified block diagram of an exemplary system 10 for providing anonline dating service in a network environment. Although the presentdisclosure is described in the context of an online dating service, thedisclosure is applicable to other but similar online communities orsocial networks utilizing the operating environment to provide aplatform for end users. For instance, in other embodiments wherecommunications or matching is valuable, systems 10 or 300 can beleveraged to identify and to evaluate suitable candidates in othercontexts, e.g., hiring/employment, recruiting, real estate, generalperson searches, etc.

FIG. 1 includes multiple end users 12 and endpoints 13, a communicationsnetwork 14, a (web) server 16 comprising memory 18 and at least oneprocessor 20, a website 22 (or in some embodiments, an application), anda data store 24. Data store 24 may be any type of mechanism for storingdata, including but not limited to one or more files, databases, memorydevices, mass storage devices, data centers, etc. System 10, users 12interact with web server 16 via endpoints 13, each of which comprises anappropriate user interface for interacting with web server 16 viawebsite 22 for facilitating functions and features described herein.Generally, web server 16 is configured to provide output for the enduser to consume at the end point. In certain example implementations,website 22 and web server 16 are consolidated into a single component,physical structure, equipment, etc.

FIG. 1 may be configured such that inter- and intra-communications arereadily achieved by any of the components included therein. The presentdisclosure is capable of providing both an online component (asillustrated in FIG. 1) and an off-line component such that one or moreend users can meet, gather information, resolve to meet, and thensubsequently meet in person with the assistance of system 10.

End users 12 may include a variety of types of end users, such asclients, customers, prospective customers, customer care agents, orentities wishing to participate in an online dating service and/or toview information associated with other participants in the system. Endusers 12 may also seek to access or to initiate communications withother end users that may be delivered via communications network 14. Endusers 12 may review data (such as user profiles, for example) associatedwith other users in order to make matching decisions or selections. Data(or sometimes referred to as “information”) as used herein in thisdocument, refers to any type of numeric, voice, video, or script data,or any other suitable information in any appropriate format that may becommunicated from one point to another.

End users 12 may access the aforementioned data via endpoints 13, whichmay be inclusive of devices used to perform various user activities,e.g., logging in, viewing a profile, initiating a communication,receiving communications/information from the server through anemail/phone/messaging application, etc. Note that the broad term “user”or “end user” encompasses any type of node or user device, or any typeof endpoint discussed herein. Additionally, the term “user” or “enduser” can further include any type of profile to be used in the systemdiscussed herein. Hence, the term “user” or “end user” can include (butis not limited to) elements such as a computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a laptop or electronic notebook, a cellular telephone,a mobile device, a tablet device, an IP telephone, an iPhone™, an ‘Pad’,a Microsoft Surface™, an Android™ phone, a Google Nexus™, or any otherdevice, component, element, or object capable of initiating voice,audio, or data exchanges within communication system 10. The endpointsmay be inclusive of a suitable interface to the end user 12, such as amicrophone, a display, or a keyboard or other terminal equipment.Endpoints 13 may also include any device that seeks to initiate acommunication on behalf of another entity or element, such as a program,a database, or any other component, device, element, or object capableof initiating a voice or a data exchange within communication system 10.In addition, each of the endpoints 13 may be a unique element designedspecifically for communications involving system 10. Such an element maybe fabricated or produced specifically for matching applicationsinvolving end user 12 and endpoint 13.

A user may employ any device capable of operating as an endpoint 13 toconnect to communications network 14 via wire, wireless, cellular,satellite link or other suitable interfaces. Web server 16, which aspreviously noted includes memory 18 and at least one processor 20, hostswebsite 22. Web server 16 has access to transmit and receive user orpresence data (e.g., user profile data, user and/or user endpoint data,user contact data, etc.) from database 24. Presence data may becollected, aggregated, and utilized as required to facilitatecommunications between endpoints 12 over communications network 10 orother outside communication systems. Presence data may also includeinformation and/or instructions enabling the creation, duration, andtermination of communication sessions between diverse endpoints 13 thatutilize different communication and/or networking protocols.

Communications network 14 is a communicative platform operable toexchange data or information emanating from endpoints 13. Communicationsnetwork 14 represents an Internet architecture in a particularembodiment of the present disclosure, which provides end users 12 withthe ability to electronically execute or to initiate user actionsassociated with finding a potential match candidate. Alternatively,communications network 14 could be a plain old telephone system (POTS),which end user 12 could use to perform the same operations or functions.In some embodiments, communications network may be a mobile phone(cellular) network, which end user 12 could use to perform the sameoperations or functions via, e.g., Short Message Service (SMS) messages,Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages, etc. Such transactions maybe assisted by management associated with website 22 and/or manuallykeyed into a telephone or other suitable electronic equipment. In otherembodiments, communications network 14 could be any packet data network(PDN) offering a communications interface or exchange between any twonodes in system 10. Communications network 14 may alternatively be anylocal area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide areanetwork (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), virtual privatenetwork (VPN), intranet, or any other appropriate architecture or systemthat facilitates communications in a network or telephonic environment.

In one embodiment, web server 16 comprises a computer server that isoperable to receive and to communicate information to one or more endusers 12. In a generic sense, (web) server 16 can implement acomputer-implemented matching system that provides a framework/platformfor suitable matching activities. Alternatively, web server 16 may beany switch, router, gateway, cache, server blade, software, processor,proprietary component, object, module, or element (or any combination ofthese) operable to facilitate communications involving end user 12. Webserver 16 may be integrated with database 24 and/or website 22, whereany one or more of these elements may share or otherwise coordinate theactivities discussed herein.

In one particular embodiment, web server 16, via interaction withdatabase 24 and/or in conjunction with website 22, is engaged infacilitating interaction(s) between parties interested in seeking aromantic partner (i.e., in an online dating scenario). For example,website 22 can be online dating service provider www.Match.com,www.Chemistry.com, or any other suitable provider. In certain examplescenarios, a given end user may pay a fee for a subscription-basedservice. Additionally, certain end user fee structures may apply todifferent tiers of service: some of which may entitle an end user toenhanced features on website 22 (e.g., the ability to communicate morefrequently with other users, additional matches being provided(potentially, more frequently) to an end user who paid the higher feestructure, the ability to store data, the ability to share data, theability to upload additional information, the ability to target specificsearches based on particular criteria, the ability to receivepreferential positioning in the context of being matched to other users,the ability to perform video calls (e.g., Skype, etc.) with other users,the ability to perform audio calls with other users, etc.).

In certain embodiments, website 22 (or one or more applications) is acomputer-implemented matching system, which may be any website orarchitecture provided for facilitating a connection involving two ormore people, and which may make use of a given profile, photograph,resume, article description, etc. This could include services associatedwith job placements, escort services, auction services, social media,real estate listings, recruiting services (e.g., in athletics, academia,employment scenarios, instances involving the sales of goods andservices), etc.

Considerable flexibility is provided by the structure of web server 16and website 22 in the context of system 10. Thus, it can be easilyappreciated that such functions could be provided external to web server16 or website 22. In such cases, such a functionality could be readilyembodied in a separate component, application, server, processor,device, or module. Note that these online dating features andcapabilities may be provided in just one of these elements, in both, ordistributed across both of them. Hence, in certain embodiments, theonline dating operations may be consolidated in a single website, whereno redirection is needed, nor performed for the user.

In operation of an example embodiment, consider a case where a given enduser is interested in participating in an online dating scenario. Enduser 12 can access website 22 via the communications network 14 (whichin the example presented comprises the Internet) using endpoint 13,register, and create a profile on the site. Moreover, end user 12 canaccess website 22 through any suitable banner, pop-up, partnership,e-mail solicitations, messaging text reminders, direct mailings, etc. Itcan be appreciated that online commerce can be generated by a plethoraof marketing tools and any such tools can readily cooperate with theoperations of the present disclosure.

At this point, matching of any form can commence amongst the members ofthe online community. For example, in the context of a romanticendeavor, a person may begin the dating process or engage incommunications that would spawn such dating. Other applications couldinclude job applicants who are being sought by employers. Any of theindividuals who reside in the online community can begin using any ofthe tools or capabilities of the platform.

FIGS. 2A-2J illustrate example screen shots that may be provided in theonline dating process to facilitate presentation of information to andgathering of information from (member) end users to form a user profile.FIGS. 2A-2J also illustrates exemplary user activity of an end user onthe website. FIGS. 2A-2J are presented herein for purposes ofdiscussion. It is imperative to note that these illustrations are onlybeing provided to further outline a particular implementation of thepresent disclosure. In no way should these diagrams be used to limit orto restrict the broad teachings of the present disclosure. Suchillustrative information has been offered earnestly and, thus, shouldnot be construed to confine the broad applications of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2A is an example screen shot of a web page from which an interestedend user may begin his/her journey. In the illustrated example, the webpage solicits location information, such as a city or zip code, as wellas an indication of the end user's gender and an age range and genderpreference of persons the end user is interested in “meeting” via system10. Subsequent to the end user's completion of the requested informationand clicking on a “How it Works” icon on the web page of FIG. 2A, ascreen shot as shown in FIG. 2B is presented to the end user. The screenshot of FIG. 2B provides a generic outline of the online dating process.As outlined in the screen shot of FIG. 2B, as a first step, an end usermay choose to browse the website to view profile photos of members alongwith summaries of the members' profiles. After browsing the website, theend user may decide to create a free user profile. Once the end userbrowses the website and creates a user profile, the end user may opt tosubscribe to the service and receive information from/about others whoare part of the online community. For purposes of example and ease ofexplanation, it will be assumed for the remainder of the discussion ofFIGS. 2A-2D that the potential new end user investigating and ultimatelysubscribing to the service is a male end user named “Tom” who isinterested in finding a female match.

FIG. 2C is an example screen shot of a number of user profiles (in thiscase, profile photos, user names, last-active information) that may beviewed by Tom during the browsing phase described above. In the contextof this screen shot, Tom may be simply browsing. Assuming Tom hasdecided he would like to know more about one of the members whose userprofile is presented in FIG. 2C, he may click on the profile photoassociated with the selected user profile. For example, assuming Tom hasdecided he would like more information about user with user name“LadyDi520”, clicking on her picture results in his being directed to aweb page as shown in FIG. 2D, where he is solicited to sign up for theonline dating subscription such that he can effectively contact hiscandidate selection. It will be noted that the information solicited fora user profile using the page shown in FIG. 2C may be used in selectingmatches for Tom. The information may also be displayed on Tom's profilepage or summary thereof presented to other users to assist those usersin determining whether they are interested in interacting with him.

FIGS. 2E-2G illustrate various screen shots comprising a userinformation collection process, i.e., for collecting information forpopulating a user profile in accordance with one embodiment. Using theweb pages illustrated in FIGS. 2E-2G, system 10 collects a variety ofinformation from an end user, including, but not limited to, basicinformation about the end user (FIG. 2E), search criteria for matches(FIG. 2E), as well as information about the type person the end userwould be interested in dating, including information about a potentialdate's physical appearance (FIG. 2F) and background and values (FIG.2G). System 10 may also ask the user to upload one or more photos forthe user profile. It will be recognized that the information collectedusing the web pages illustrated in FIGS. 2E-2G is illustrative only andthat any type/amount of information for a user profile may be solicitedin the illustrated manner.

FIGS. 2H-2J are example screen shots of the full user profile ofLadyDi520, the end user corresponding to the picture Tom selected whilebrowsing. In the illustrated user profile, LadyDi520's match criteriaare displayed, as well as other information that may be pertinent to apotential mate. Any suitable items can be provided in such a profile(such as interests, favorite hot spots, favorite things, desire forchildren, background, etc.). Virtually any type or format of information(inclusive of video and audio data) may be provided in such a profile.In particular, the profile includes information that was solicited fromLadyDi520 when she set up her online dating account. The profile mayinclude one or more photos, biographical information (e.g., gender, age,location, relationship status, etc.), physical information (e.g.,height, weight, hair and eye color, etc.), interests (e.g., hobbies,“favorites,” etc.), lifestyle information (e.g., exercise habits,employment, smoking/drinking habits, etc.), and background/values (e.g.,ethnicity, faith, education, etc.). The profile may also include asection entitled “About My Date,” in which the end user specifiespreferences about the type of person he/she would like to meet/date(e.g., appearance, interests, faith, education, relationship goals,etc.). In some embodiments, a full profile, including the profileinformation provided by the end user and stored in the system, isdisplayed to interested viewers; in other embodiments, only a summary orsubset of the profile information is displayed.

Subsequent to completing a user profile and browsing profiles ofpotential matches, a user may desire to interact with some of thepotential matches in the online community. There are many ways for usersto interact with one another. For example, a user may initiate and/orreceive any of the following (direct or indirect) communications: winks,emails, likes, add as a favorite, instant messages, calls (e.g.,telephone call), letters (e.g., hand-written letter send by groundmail), invitation to attend a live event, invitation to attend a date.

Given the number of choices for interacting with other users, some usersmay be unsure of which actions (e.g., types of communications to use,what number of messages to send, rate at which to send messages) to taketo be a successful member of the online community. In addition, withoutany information or feedback on what it takes to be successful, a usermay not know how to adjust their level of interaction with other usersto improve the likelihood of the user being successful.

A system for user communication in an online community (e.g., awebsite), according to the present disclosure, may advantageouslyimprove the likelihood of a user being successful by providing, to anend user, goals based on analysis of a set of successful users. Inaddition, a system according to the present disclosure may providetime-dependent goals in a plurality of time windows (e.g., short-termgoal as a long-term goal). Advantageously, a long-term goal may bedivided into smaller, and more easily attainable, short-term goalsthereby helping to motivate user while simultaneously reducing thelikelihood of overwhelming them with a degree of difficulty of along-term goal. A goal is distinguished from an indication of, e.g., howthe user can modify their profile to (passively) attract other users orto increase a number of potential matches. In an embodiment, a goal is abenchmark for determining a degree of initiative taken by a user to seekout and proactively engage other users in communication over time, e.g.,by initiating communication with other users (in some cases with noprompting by the other users).

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of system 300, which is an embodiment ofa system for user communication on a website according to the presentdisclosure. In system 300, performance measurement system 304, user datastore 302, goal data store 310, and graphical user interface generator314 are coupled (e.g., for one-way or two-way communications network) toone another. Performance measurement system 304 comprises goal generator306 and analysis system 308. Goal generator 306 generates goals(benchmarks, etc.) based on data in user data store 302 and/or fromother data stores (not shown). Performance measurement system 304generates result data 312 by analysis system 308. Graphical userinterface generator 314 accesses result data 312 and generates arepresentation of the result 316. In certain implementations,performance measurement system 304 and graphical user interfacegenerator 314 are consolidated into a single component, physicalstructure, equipment, etc.

User data store 302 and/or goal data store 310 may be any type ofmechanism for storing data, including but not limited to one or morefiles, databases, memory devices, mass storage devices, data centers,etc. In an implementation, the data stored in user data store maycomprise, e.g., user profile data, user activity logs, user calendardata, user phone records, user SMS text records, user location data,etc.

In an implementation, goal generator 306 may generate goals based ondata for successful users (e.g., successful users identified asdiscussed herein), which may be stored in user data store 302 and/orretrieved from other data stores. The generated goals may be stored inand/or retrieved from goal data store 310. Analysis system 308 mayanalyze data for end users (e.g., users other than the successful users)against goals in goal data store 310 to generate result data 312 (e.g.,a result indicating that a user has completed 25% of a goal to send 5emails within a 7-day time period). Result data 312 may comprise one ormore of a numerical value, a file, a function, etc. Graphical userinterface generator 314 may comprise any mechanism for generating agraphical user interface, including but not limited to one or moreapplication programming interfaces, or any combination of hardwareand/or software for generating graphics. Representation of the result316 may be any mechanism for representing the result data, including butnot limited to one or more graphical user interface components, text,shapes, icons, graphical progress bars, bar graphs, pie graphs, linegraphs, pie graphs, histograms, a meter, a metered representation, avirtual “meter” indicating an amount of progress toward a goal, agraphical representation that is visually similar to a gas meter rangingfrom zero to one or from Empty (“E”) to Full (“F”), etc. Goals forimplementing in such a system (e.g., goals in data store 310) may bedetermined by performing analysis on successful users.

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary logic or a method for determining goalsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Logic 400comprises start point 402, identify a set of users 404, analyze dataassociated with the set 406, determine time-dependent goal(s) based onthe analysis 408, and end point 410. Logic 400 is an exemplaryimplementation of logic to analyze a set of successful users in anonline community to determine goals. Logic 400 begins at start point402. Start point 402 may coincide with a start or end point of otherlogic, routines, and/or applications. In addition, at start point 402,data (e.g., objects, values, variables, etc.) may be initialized,retrieved, or accessed for use in logic 400. At procedure 404, a set ofusers is identified by a goal system (e.g., goal generator 306). The setof users may possess or not possess certain characteristics, which maybe determined (e.g., searched or filtered) as criteria for identifyingthe users. In one example, a characteristic may be a predefined level ofsuccess in an online dating environment. In such a case, the set ofsuccessful users may be identified based on receipt of a plurality ofmessages indicating a degree of success for each of the set of users.The users may identify themselves (e.g., providing a user inputindicating a degree of success) as successful and/or may be identifiedby others as being successful. In other examples, a successful user maybe identified based, or example, one or more of a survey regarding auser's level of success (either provided by the user or by anotheruser), a number of completed dates, a number of positive reviews byother users in the online community, etc.

At procedure 406, data associated with the set of users is analyzed,e.g., by a goal generator. The analysis techniques may include but arenot limited to one or more of statistical analysis, machine learning,pattern recognition, neural networks, hidden Markov models, etc. Theanalysis may identify patterns and/or trends in the data associated withthe set of users. In an implementation, the analysis may determinepatterns and/or trends in rates of communication (e.g., number(s) ofcommunications sent over a period of time) for the set of users.

At procedure 408, time-dependent goal(s) are determined, e.g., by a goalgenerator, based on the analysis performed at procedure 406. In animplementation, the time-dependent goals may comprise ore or more ofpatterns, trends, averages, maximum, and minimums, rates ofcommunication (e.g., a number of communications within a time period)based on the analysis of the data for the set of users. Statisticsassociated with the set of users (e.g., successful users) may be used asgoals for users (which may or may not include the set of users). Anexemplary statistic may be that male users in a set of users in anonline dating community send an average of 100 emails in a 30-day periodof time. This statistic may in turn be used as a goal for other maleusers, for whom the goal is to send 100 emails in a 30-day period oftime. Logic 400 ends at end point. End point 410 may coincide with astart/end point of other logic, routines, and/or applications (e.g.,start point 502, start point 602). Logic 400 may be implemented in anycomponent or combination of components of systems 10 or 300. In oneimplementation, logic 400 may be provisioned in whole or in part in goalgenerator 306 (FIG. 3).

Statistical analysis was performed on a set of successful users (e.g.,identified at procedure 404, FIG. 4) in an online community to determinegoals. Each user in the set of successful users sent an unsolicitedmessage to management associated with an online community,self-identified as being happy with their level of success, as beingsuccessful, and/or as having had a positive experience as a member ofthe online community. The set of users was identified based on receiptof a message indicating a degree of success. In this example, users withan excessively high level of interaction (i.e., a statistical outlierwith respect to a number of communications initiated) were excluded fromthe set of successful users. This exclusion reduced the likelihood thatthe set of successful users included indiscriminate users who may sendan excessively large number of messages solely to increase the chance ofgetting a response from anyone.

Analysis was performed (e.g., at procedure 406, FIG. 4) on the userprofile data for the set of successful users using a plurality ofsliding time windows, where a period of time of a fixed size (i.e., atime window) is incrementally moved (i.e., slid) in time. For example, asliding time window can be a 30-day period of time, a 28-day period oftime, and 7-day period of time. The aforementioned lengths of time arenon-limiting non-exhaustive examples of sliding time windows. The timewindows may be any length of time in which user data can be analyzed. Inan implementation, a sliding time window can be measured in seconds,minutes, hours, days, years, or any combination and/or multiple thereof.The analysis focused on communications initiated by the successfulusers, since these are activities for which the user has control.

Statistical analysis performed (e.g., at procedure 406, FIG. 4) on userprofile data for each of the users in the set of successful usersyielded non-trivial results. Several patterns were determined based onthe analysis of the number and types of communications initiated bysuccessful users. One result of the analysis is that, successful usersinitiate a relatively larger number of communications immediatelypreceding finding a successful match, after which the number ofcommunications sharply declines. Another result is that, the averagenumber of communications sent by a successful man is about 50% more thanthe average number of communications sent by a successful woman. Anotherresult is that, the number of communications initiated by successfuluser is time-dependent. For example, the usage (e.g., number ofcommunications initiated) in a first time period and usage within asubset of the time period relate to one another according to a ratio (orpercentage). For example, if a male user sent 19 likes in a 30-day timeperiod, then 10 likes of the 20 likes were sent in a 7-day time period(i.e., a 7-day period within the 30-day time period). Thus, the usagewithin 7-daytime period is equal to about 50% of the 30-day usage. Inanother example, if a female user added 4 users as favorites in a 30-daytime period, then 1 of the favorites (i.e., 25% of the favorites) weresent in a 7-day time period. Assuming that a first (short) time periodis a subset of a second (long) time period. Another finding is that ifthe first time period is equal to about 25% of the second time period,then the number of communications initiated in the first period of timeis equal to 50% of the number of communications initiated in the secondperiod of time. In other words, a ratio of an amount of communication inthe first (short) time period to an amount of communication in thesecond period of time is disproportionately large compared to a ratio ofthe first (short) time period to the second (long) time period. Inaddition, the following statistics were determined from the analysis theset of successful users:

-   -   An maximum peak 30-day usage for the set of successful users,    -   An average peak 30-day usage for the set of successful users,    -   An average peak 30-day usage for male users within the set of        successful users,    -   An average peak 7-day usage for male users within the set of        successful users,    -   An average peak 30-day usage for female users within the set of        successful users,    -   An average peak 7-day usage for female users within the set of        successful users.

For the results and statistics, the usage included the number ofcommunications initiated by the user(s) in the analysis. Each of theresults and statistics were further determined for each of a pluralityof types of communication (e.g., winks, likes, emails, favorites, etc.)in the online network.

Goals for users in the online community can be generated based on theresults and/or statistics from analysis of the successful users (e.g.,at procedure 408, FIG. 4). In one example, the goals are the directresults and/or statistics determined from an analysis of the successfulusers. In other examples, the goals may be derived from results and/orstatistics determined from an analysis of the successful users. Forexample, an average peak number of communications initiated by maleusers, in the set of successful users, within a 30-day (one month) timeperiod may divided by 4 to determine a 7-day goal (e.g., because onemonth divided by four equals about one week, or seven days). A 30-day(one month) goal may be divided into smaller, and more easilyattainable, 7-day goals to advantageously reduce the likelihood ofoverwhelming an end user with a degree of difficulty of the 30-day goal.

Goals may be generated (e.g., at procedure 408, FIG. 4) based on thecommunication patterns of a set of users (e.g., a set of successfulusers). The following is a non-exhaustive non-limiting list of exemplarylist of goals:

-   -   Does the user initiate X number of communications?    -   Does the user initiate X number of communications in a Y-day        period of time?    -   Does the user initiate, in a Y-day period of time, X number of        communications to users with whom the user has not previously        communicated?    -   Does the user initiate, in a Y-day period of time, X number of        communications to users that are new to an online dating        community?    -   Does the user initiate X number of winks in a Y-day period of        time?    -   Does the user initiate X number of likes in a Y-day period of        time?    -   Does the user initiate X number of emails in a Y-day period of        time?    -   Does the user add X number of users as favorites in a Y-day        period of time?    -   Does the user initiate X number of phone calls in a Y-day period        of time?    -   Does the user initiate X number of instant messages in a Y-day        period of time?    -   Does the user send X number of letters (e.g., a hand-written        note deliver by ground mail) in a Y-day period of time?    -   Does the user send X number of (virtual and/or physical) gifts        in a Y-day period of time?    -   Does the user attend X number of live events in a Y-day period        of time?    -   Does the user invite X number of users on one-on-one dates in a        Y-day period of time?    -   Does the user attend X number of one-on-one dates in a Y-day        period of time?    -   Does the user's X number of communications initiated in a Y-day        period of time and the user's M number of communications        initiated in a N-day period relate to one another according to a        predetermined percentage between the numbers of communications        (e.g., the value of M/N)?

A user's performance of the goal(s) may be analyzed within the contextof an online dating system (i.e., does the user initiate communicationsto others within the online community). For example, user profile datafrom an online dating website may accessed by an analysis system (e.g.,analysis system 308) for comparison to the goals. FIG. 7 illustrates anexemplary graph (i.e., graph 700) of user profile data and sliding timewindows in which the data are analyzed. Graph 700 comprises verticalaxis 702, horizontal axis 704, like data 706, wink data 708, favoritedata 710, and email data 712. Vertical axis 702 corresponds to a numberof communications initiated by a user. Horizontal axis 704 correspondsto times at which communications are initiated. Like data 706, wink data708, favorites data 710, and email data 712 show varying numbers ofcommunications initiated over time for a user(s). Like data 706represents numbers, varying in time, of likes initiated by a user. Winkdata 708 represents numbers, varying in time, of winks initiated by theuser. Favorite data 710 represents numbers, varying in time, offavorites initiated by the user. Email data 712 represents numbers,varying in time, of emails initiated by the user.

Time periods 714, 716, 718, and 720 are time periods (or time windows,time frames, etc.) in which the data in graph 700 are analyzed. Timeperiod 714 spans from time t1 to time t5 and thus spans (5−1=4) 4 unitsof time. Time period 716 spans from time t4 to time t5 and thus spans 1unit of time. Time period 718 spans from time t2 to time t6 and thusspans 4 units of time. Time period 720 spans from time t5 to time t6 andthus spans 1 unit of time. In an implementation, a long time period(e.g., time periods 714 and 718) may be equal to one of 1 month, 30days, or 28 days. A short time period (e.g., time periods 716 and 720)may be equal to one of 1 week, 7 days, or 7.5 days. In anotherembodiment, the length of any time period (i.e., long and/or short timeperiods) may be determined based on analysis performed on the data(e.g., to determine a length of a period associated with a periodic orcyclical activity trend for the user).

At a point in time, the data may be simultaneously analyzed in aplurality of time periods. In this example, at time t5, the data aresimultaneously analyzed in time period 714 and time period 716. Theresults of the analysis of the user profile data may relate to one orboth time periods and may determine relationships between data in thetwo time periods (e.g., data in time period 714 and data in time period716). Subsequent to analysis at time t5, an analysis system may move (or“slide”) a time window in which analysis is performed to a differentpoint in time (e.g., time t6).

The time periods in which analysis is performed may slide (e.g., a timewindow that slides) such that they are measured relative to a currentdate and/or time (e.g., measured from a current date back to 7 daysprior to the current data, i.e., looking backward in time). In otherwords, a time window may move from time-to-time (e.g., day-to-day,hour-to-hour). In this example, a long time window slides from timeperiod 714 to time period 718 and a short time window slides from timeperiod 716 to time period 720. At time t6, the data are analyzed in timeperiod 718 and time period 720, which have moved forward one time unitrelative to time periods 714 and 716, respectively.

After defining goals (e.g., using logic 400) and accessing user data(e.g., as discussed with reference to FIG. 7), user profile data arecompared to goals in one or more time periods, e.g., using an analysissystem. The analysis may comprise comparing the users profile data to atime-dependent goal. FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary logic or a method forcomparing user data to a goal according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Logic 500 comprises start point 500, access data associatedwith user(s) 504, compare the data with a time-dependent goal(s) 506,determine a result based on the comparison 508, and end point 510. Logic500 begins at start point 502. Start point 502 may coincide with a startor end point of other logic, routines, and/or applications. In addition,at start point 502, data (e.g., objects, values, variables, etc.) may beinitialized, retrieved, or accessed for use in logic 500.

At procedure 504, data associated with a user (or multiple users) isaccessed, e.g., using an analysis system. Accessing the data maycomprise any of receiving, retrieving, reading from a memory, analyzing(e.g., using methods similar to those utilized in procedure 406 of logic400), and/or manipulating the data (e.g., user profile data). Forexample, user profile data for a user may be analyzed to determine anumber of winks sent in an online dating community within apredetermined period of time.

At procedure 506, the data from procedure 504 is compared (e.g., usingan analysis system) with time-dependent goal(s). The time-dependentgoal(s) may be determined from an analysis of data from an individualsuccessful user and/or a group of successful users and thus are based ona proven pattern of communication that corresponds with success for auser. For example, the time-dependent goal(s) may be determined usinglogic 400. The comparison may comprise accessing the time-dependentgoal(s) from a data store of predetermined goals. In an embodiment, thetime-dependent goal(s) may be determined as a part of the procedure 506.The comparison may include verifying a unit of measure for two or morevalues being compared or analyzed. In some embodiments, the unit ofmeasure may be converted such that the two or more values being comparedare in the same unit of measure. For example, an analysis system maycovert a percentage (50% of 100 emails) to a count (50 emails) forcomparison to another count (105 emails).

At procedure 508, a result is determined (e.g., by an analysis system)based on the comparison that was performed at procedure 506. In animplementation, the result may include but is not limited to one or moreof a Boolean (e.g., indicating of whether the user (or users) havesatisfied the goal(s)), a value (e.g., indicating a degree to which theuser(s) have (or have not) completed the goal(s)), a message (e.g., amessage to the user or to a system component indicating whether the goalwas met), a function call (e.g., to conditionally activate a system orfunction based on the comparison), and/or modifying a memory (e.g.,storing result data in a memory, changing a state variable in memory).The determined result, as well as other data, may be output (e.g., toone or more interface systems, one or more third party systems, etc.).

Logic 500 ends at end point 510. End point 510 may coincide with astart/end point of other logic, routines, and/or applications (e.g.,start point 602, start point 402). In one implementation, logic 500 maybe provisioned in any component or combination of components of systems10 or 300. For example, logic 500 can be implemented in whole or part inanalysis system 308. In such an implementation, the result determined atprocedure 508 may correspond to result data 312.

It is noted that a goal (e.g., a time-dependent goal) as describedherein includes and/or relates to a benchmark for a degree of initiativetaken by a user to seek out and proactively engage other users incommunication over time. The goals are distinguished from generic goalsor metrics, which may determine whether a user has provided completedata for their profile. Moreover, the goals as described herein arefurther distinguished from some specific goals or metrics, which mayrelate to how a user can modify their profile to (passively) attractother users or to increase a number of potential matches. In contrast,the goals as described herein include relate to prompting users toproactively communicate (e.g., to initiate a communication) with otherusers and encouraging them to sustain the proactive communicationactivity over time to meet a plurality time-dependent benchmarks. Insome embodiments, a goal may measure a number of communicationsinitiated by a user to other users with whom the user has not previouslycommunicated (e.g., has neither sent a communication to nor received acommunication from the other users). The goals may be used to prompt theuser to initiate communications with other users with whom the user hasnot previously communicated.

Subsequent to determining a result of comparing user data to a goal, arepresentation (e.g., a graphical representation) of the result may begenerated (e.g., using a user interface system). For example, FIG. 6illustrates exemplary logic or a method for generating a representationof a result of comparing user data to a goal according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. Logic 600 comprises start point 602;receiving a result of comparing user data with goal(s) 604; generating,based on the result, message(s) to prompt the user(s) to initiatecommunication 606, generate graphical output based on the result 608,and end point 610. Logic 600 begins at start point 602. Start point 602may coincide with a start or end point of other logic, routines, and/orapplications. In addition, at start point 602, data (e.g., objects,values, variables, etc.) may be initialized, retrieved, or accessed foruse in logic 600.

At procedure 604, a result of comparing user data with one or more goalsis received (e.g., by a user interface system). In an implementation,the result may be received directly from a system that generated theresult, from third-party, and/or from a data store containing theresult. In other implementations, analysis may be performed, atprocedure 604, to determine information from the result or a set ofresults (e.g., perform statistical analysis on results gathered over oneyear to determine a trend in a user's communication data).

A representation of the result, received at procedure 604, may comprisea message (e.g., generated at procedure 606), a graphical output (e.g.,generated at procedure 608), and/or and any mechanism as described forrepresentation 316.

At procedure 606, one or more messages are generated, based on theresult, to prompt the user(s) to initiate communication. The one or moremessages are distinguished from messages that encourage a user to changetheir profile or activity to (passively) attract other users or toincrease a number of potential matches. The one or more messagesdescribed herein prompt users to proactively communicate (e.g., toinitiate a communication) with other users based on a time-dependentgoal from analysis of successful users. The messages may be transmitteddirectly to the user or may be transmitted to system component orthird-party for further processing.

At procedure 608, a graphical output is generated based on the result.In an implementation, the representation may be any mechanism asdescribed for representation 316. A graphical output (e.g., a bar graphfor a time period) may be utilized to encourage a user to sustain theproactive communication activity over time to meet one or moretime-dependent goals. The graphical output may visually convey actionthat the user can initiate to increase the likelihood of beingsuccessful. In contrast to graphical output indicating how a user maychange their profile, search criteria, or responsiveness tocommunications initiated by others, the graphical output describedherein prompts users to proactively initiate communications (e.g.,winks, favorites, emails, likes). In some implementations, the graphicaloutput may encourage a user to initiate a communication to another userwith whom the user has not previously communicated (e.g., encouragingthe user to meet new users). The graphical output described herein canprovide visual feedback on a level of communication and whether a user'slevel of communication matches that of a successful user. The graphicaloutput goes beyond more than merely encourage high numbers ofcommunications, instead it may provide (and thereby encourage) numbersof communications that correspond to numbers of communications forsuccessful user(s). The numbers of communications may vary based on,e.g., the type of communication and/or a gender of the user. In animplementation, the graphical output is a graph of the user'scommunication data compared to a time-dependent goal. The graphicaloutput may be interactive. For example, the graphical output may includethe following text, “you need to send 5 more winks in the next 7 days”;clicking the text can take the user to an interface where they couldsend a wink. In an implementation, upon the user completing all of thegoals, the graphical output may include the following text,“Congratulations, you are meeting all of your goals”.

Logic 600 ends at end point 610. End point 610 may coincide with astart/end point of other logic, routines, and/or applications (e.g.,start point 402, start point 502). Logic 600 may be implemented in anycomponent or combination of components of systems 10 or 300. In oneimplementation, logic 600 may be provisioned in whole or in part ingraphical user interface generator 314 (FIG. 3). In such animplementation, the message(s) and/or graphics provided at procedures606 and 608, respectively, may correspond to representation 316.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate example screen shots that may be provided in anonline dating process to facilitate presentation of information to andreceiving input from users to facilitate communication on a website.FIGS. 8A-8D also illustrates exemplary user activity of a user on thewebsite.

The logic in any of FIGS. 4, 5, and/or 6 may be combined in any fashion.For example, logic 400 may be executed by a processor, which thenexecutes logic 500, and finally logic 600. The logic (i.e., logic 400,500, and/or 600) may be used in an iterative fashion. For example, afterdetermining time dependent goals (based on Logic 400) and comparing userdata with the time-dependent goals (based on Logic 500), a processor mayagain execute the logic 400 (i.e., literately apply logic 400) toredefine the goals (e.g., based on an analysis of the results, forexample, upon determining that too few users meet the goals or upondetermining that the goals are too challenging, etc.).

In FIG. 8A, a user, i.e., “Andy”, is logged into match.com. The websiteincludes a list of candidate matches (e.g., the list of users titled“DailyMatches”) for the user. The list of candidate matches includes atleast the users “ria4real”, “Rung211”, “joyful00”, and “Kaye20”. Theuser may select a user interface component (e.g., a “view profile”button) to view a profile of any of the users in the list of candidatematches. Each of the users ria4real, Rung211, and joyful00 is acandidate match with whom the user has not previously communicated,e.g., as indicated by the label “no sent messages”. The user (i.e.,Andy) has communicated with Kaye20 thus the label “no sent messages” isnot indicated for Kaye20. In an embodiment, the user interface mayoutput a message prompting the user to initiate a communication to userswith whom the user has not previously communicated, which in thisexample includes the user Kaye20. In addition to the above, the websitefurther comprises button 802, user interface component 804, andadvertisement 812. The user is a member (e.g., has created a freeprofile) of the website but is not a subscriber (e.g., has not paid acurrent fee for a subscription-based service) of the website. Button802, when selected by the user, may take the user to a page to allow theuser to subscribe to the website. User interface component 804 comprisesgraph 806, button 808, and component 810. User interface component 804,and/or any of the aforementioned items therein, are an exemplaryrepresentation of a result of comparing the user profile data for theuser with a time-dependent goal (e.g., generated using logic 600 and/orgraphical user interface generator 314). Advertisement 812 may be anadvertisement for the website on which it is displayed (e.g. match.com)or maybe for a different website, a product, a service, or combinationthereof.

Graph 806 is a semi-circular bar graph (e.g., titled “Match SuccessMeter”) including four semi-circular bars each corresponding to a typeof communication. In this example, the types of communications includewinks (e.g., as indicated by a winking smiley face icon), favorites(e.g., as indicated by a star icon), likes (e.g., as indicated by athumb-up icon), and emails (e.g., as indicated by an envelope icon). Alength of each bar in the semi-circular bar graph, relative to itsoverall maximum length along the semi-circle, represents a fraction (orpercentage) of a number of communications initiated over a predeterminedperiod of time for a type of communication. In this example, the bars inthe graph correspond to the user, Andy, having completed: 50% of a 7-daygoal for sending winks to other users in the online dating community;100% of a 7-day goal for sending favorites to other users in the onlinedating community; 50% of a 7-day goal for sending likes to other usersin the online dating community; and 0% of a 7-day goal for sendingemails to other users in the online dating community. The value of eachpercentage, and therefore the length of each bar in graph 806, may bedetermined by comparing Andy's user profile data with a target rate ofinitiating communications (e.g., initiating X number of communicationswithin Y number of days, which is an exemplary time-dependent goal). Theorder of the icons at the lower boundary of the graph corresponds to theorder of the bars in the graph. For example, the four icons, when readfrom left to right, correspond to the order of the four bars in thesemi-circular bar graph, when read from the outside of the semi-circletoward the inside of the semi-circle.

Button 808 comprises the text, “SEND MORE EMAILS”. Upon receiving aninput by button 808 (e.g., a user clicks button 808 to indicate thatthey want to send an email), an interface for sending an email may begenerated, e.g., by a user interface system, for display to the user. Inthis example, because the user, Andy, is not a subscriber, instead ofgenerating an interface for sending an email, an interface forsubscribing to the website may be generated (e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 9 and/or as a prerequisite to allowing the user to send an email).

Component 810 comprises the text, “SEE ACTIVITY DETAILS>>”. Uponreceiving an input by component 810 (e.g., a user clicks component 810to indicate that they want to see further details), further informationregarding activity of the user may be generated, e.g., by a userinterface system.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example screen shot of a website according to thepresent specification, which may result from receiving an input bycomponent 810 in FIG. 8A. User interface component 814 comprises atoggle button 816, a graphical representation of wink data 818, agraphical representation of favorites data 820, a graphicalrepresentation of likes data 822, and a graphical representation ofemail data 824. User interface component 814, and/or any of theaforementioned items therein, are an exemplary representation of aresult of comparing the user profile data for the user with atime-dependent goal (e.g., generated using logic 600 and/or graphicaluser interface generator 314). User interface component 814 is adetailed representation of result data represented by user interfacecomponent 804. In an implementation, component 814 may be a drop downmenu that appears and/or disappears responsive to user inputs receivedby component 810. Toggle button 816 allows the user to choose a timewindow (time period) in which to compare their performance to atime-dependent goal. In this case, the user can choose between aseven-day time window and a 30-day time window. When the user selectseither of the time windows, the user interface system may immediatelyprovide a detailed representation (e.g., in user interface component814) of data corresponding to the selected time window. Toggle button816 is in a state where the seven-day time window is selected. Thisselection of the seven-day time window (or a different time window) maybe a default setting provided as a starting point for the user. Inanother embodiment, the user may select a time window as a preferredtime window in which to display data. The graphical representation ofwink data 818 illustrates that the user has initiated three winks withinthe seven-day time window and that the target number for the user is toinitiate six winks within the seven-day time window (a time-dependentgoal). A bar within the representation 818 is shaded to level of 50% ofa length of the bar to correspond to the user having completed 50% ofthe goal (i.e., (3 winks completed)/(6 winks goal)=50%). The graphicalrepresentation of favorites data 820 illustrates that the user hasindicated seven users as favorites (i.e., initiated seven favorites)within the seven-day time window and that the target number for the useris to initiate seven favorites within the seven-day time window (atime-dependent goal). A bar within the representation 820 is shaded tolevel of 100% of a length of the bar to correspond to the user havingcompleted 100% of the goal (i.e., (7 favorites completed)/(7 favoritesgoal)=100%). The graphical representation of likes data 822 illustratesthat, within the seven-day time window, the user has indicated that helikes two user (i.e., initiated two like indications, or likes) and thatthe target number (goal) for the user is to initiate four likes (atime-dependent goal). A bar within the representation 822 is shaded tolevel of 50% of a length of the bar to correspond to the user havingcompleted 50% of the goal (i.e., (2 likes completed)/(4 likesgoal)=50%). The graphical representation of email data 824 illustratesthat, within the seven-day time window, the user has initiated zeroemails and that the target number (goal) for the user is to initiate 17emails. Although, the user has completed 0% of the goal (i.e., (0 emailscompleted)/(17 emails goal)=0%), a bar within the representation 824 isshaded to level of approximately 0.5% of a length of the bar, e.g., toprovide a visual indication of the goal to the user. In otherembodiments, a bar corresponding to 0% may not be shaded at all or maybe shaded a different length of the bar.

Advantageously, after receiving an indication that the user isinterested in a result of the comparison (e.g., a user selection ofcomponent 810), an option for interacting with other users may beprovided, e.g., by a user interface system. For example, upon receivinga user selection of component 810, advertisement 826 is generated toprovide the user with an option to reserve a spot at a live event byselecting the button labeled “Reserve Now”.

Upon receiving user input from a user indicating a request for furtherinformation regarding the user's communication activity (e.g., a userselection of component 810), a mechanism for the user to initiatecommunications may be output (e.g., generated on the user's displaydevice). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8B, user interfacecomponents 828, 830, 832, and 834 are exemplary mechanisms for the userto initiate communications (i.e., winks, favorites, likes, and emails).Each of user interface components 828, 830, 832, and 834 include a winkbutton, a favorite button, a like button, and an email button. Userinterface components 828, 830, 832, and 834 correspond to communicationsthat the user, Andy, may send to users ria4real, Rung211, joyful00, andKaye20, respectively. When selected, the buttons (i.e., any of thebuttons in user interface components 828, 830, 832, and 834) may causeat least one processor to immediately perform a corresponding action(e.g., wink, favorite, like, or email) or may take the user's device toan interface for performing the corresponding action. In some cases, theuser may not be granted access to the interface to perform thecorresponding action (e.g., because they are not a paying subscriber).If the user does not have access, then selecting any of the buttons maycause at least one processor to retrieve an interface for soliciting theuser to sign up for the online dating subscription, e.g., as illustratedin FIG. 9 and/or as a prerequisite to allowing the user to send anemail.

Advantageously, an existing user interface component may be modified(e.g., by graphical user interface generator 314) to facilitate the userinitiating communication with another user in the network. For example,because descriptive text provided for the user “Kaye20” is of a certainlength (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A and 8B), the descriptive text has beenmodified by truncating a portion of the descriptive text, replacing thetruncated portion by hyperlink 836 which reads “ . . . Read More”, anduser interface component 834 has been added, thereby allowing the user(Andy) to initiate communication with “Kaye20”.

In an embodiment, a representation of a result for prompting a user toinitiate a communication (e.g., user interface component 804 and/or userinterface component 814) may comprise at least one of a message, agraphic, a button, text output, a remaining percentage, a completedpercentage, an audio signal, etc. For example, a message may include“Send more likes”, “Send more winks”, “Send more emails”, “Favorite moreusers”, “Add more favorites”, “Go on more dates”, or “Call more users”.A graphic may be an icon, a graphical progress bar, a bar graph, a piegraph, a histogram, a metered graphical representation, a virtual“meter” indicating an amount of progress toward a goal, a graphicalrepresentation that is visually similar to a gas meter ranging from zeroto one or from Empty (“E”) to Full (“F”), etc. A button, for example,may include a button that when clicked initiates a new communication, an“email” button, a “like” button, etc. Textual output may include, e.g.,“7 emails sent”, “2 calls placed”, etc. A remaining percentage mayinclude, e.g., “10% remaining before you reach your short-term goal forinitiating emails”, “85% remaining before you reach your long-term goalfor initiating phone calls”, “you must initiate 25% more likes to reachyour 28-day goal”, etc. A completed percentage may include, e.g., “youhave completed 27% of your 7-day goal for initiating winks”, “you havecompleted 27% of your 30-day goal for initiating phone calls”, etc. Anaudio signal may include, e.g., a sound that increases or decreases inpitch as the user increases progress toward a goal, a voice speaking amessage, a sound indicating that the user has or has not completed agoal, etc.

FIG. 8C illustrates an example screen shot of a website according to thepresent specification, which results from the user selecting a 30-dayoption from the toggle button 816 in FIG. 8B. In contrast to FIG. 8B, inwhich user toggle button 816 is set to a seven-day time window, FIG. 8Cillustrates user interface component 838 in which user toggle button 840is set to a 30-day time window. In this embodiment, the 30 day timewindow in FIG. 8C is a superset of the 7-day time window in FIG. 8B.User interface component 838 comprises components similar to those inuser interface component 814. The graphical representation of wink data842 illustrates that the user has initiated 12 winks within the 30-daytime window and that the target number for the user is to initiate 24winks within the 30-day time window (a time-dependent goal). A barwithin the representation 842 is shaded to level of 50% of a length ofthe bar to correspond to the user having completed 50% of the goal(i.e., (12 winks completed)/(24 winks goal)=50%). The graphicalrepresentation of favorites data 844 illustrates that, within the 30-daytime window, the user has indicated seven users as favorites (i.e.,initiated seven favorites) and that the target number (goal) for theuser is to initiate 28 favorites (a time-dependent goal). A bar withinthe representation 844 is shaded to level of 25% of a length of the barto correspond to the user having completed 25% of the goal (i.e., (7favorites completed)/(28 favorites goal)=25%). The graphicalrepresentation of likes data 846 illustrates that, within the 30-daytime window, the user has indicated that he likes three users (i.e.,initiated two like indications, or likes) and that the target number(goal) for the user is to initiate 16 likes. A bar within therepresentation 822 is shaded to level of approximately 19% of a lengthof the bar to correspond to the user having completed approximately 19%of the goal (i.e., (3 likes completed)/(16 likes goal)=18.75%≈19%). Thegraphical representation of email data 848 illustrates that, within theseven-day time window, the user has initiated zero emails and that thetarget number (goal) for the user is to initiate 68 emails within theseven-day time window (a time-dependent goal). Although, the user hascompleted 0% of the goal (i.e., (0 emails completed)/(68 emailsgoal)=0%), a bar within the representation 824 is shaded to level ofapproximately 0.5% of a length of the bar. The user may advantageouslychoose a time window from a set of time windows in which to view theirperformance. The data analyzed within the time window may be updated inreal time to provide the user with current performance data.

FIG. 8D illustrates a user interface according to the presentdisclosure, in which the user provided user input to initiatecommunications. First, the user selected button 828 a to initiate a winkto user ria4real. Next, the user selected button 830 b to add the userRung211 as a favorite. User interface components 852 and 838 have beenupdated with shading (e.g., by graphical user interface generator 314)in response to the user input by buttons 828 a and 830 b. In response tothe user's last selection (i.e., the selection of button 830 b tofavorite Rung211), the user is provided with component 850, whichidentifies other users that are similar to Rung211 and provides optionsfor the user to communicate, by email, with each of those other users.The type(s) of communication available in component 850 may bedetermined based on the user's performance within a time window. In thisexample, it was determined (e.g., by an analysis system and/or userinterface system) that component 850 would include an option for sendinge-mails based on the user having the lowest percent complete toward thegoal for sending emails. Such a determination may help the user to makeprogress on the goal with the lowest percent complete.

As previously stated, although the user Andy is a member of the websitehe is not a subscriber of the website. In response to a user input fromAndy (or any other non-subscriber) for sending an email (e.g., aselection of email buttons in component 850, button 828 d, button 830 d,etc.), at least one processor may generate a window as shown in FIG. 9.FIG. 9 is an exemplary window for soliciting a user to subscribe to awebsite as a prerequisite to allowing the user to send an email. Thewindow in FIG. 9 comprises button 902 and text indicating thesubscription status of the user. Button 902 includes the text “SubscribeNow” and is an option soliciting the user to subscribe to the website.

The message that reads “SEND MORE EMAILS”, in buttons in FIGS. 8A-8D,corresponds to the goal for which the user has completed the leastpercentage when compared to each of the percentages for the other of theuser's goals. In FIGS. 8A-8D, the user completed 0% of their e-mail goaland completed more than 0% of each of the wink goal, the favorite goal,and the like goal. Thus, the message displayed within e.g., button 808(i.e., the message including the text “SEND MORE EMAILS”) corresponds tothe e-mail goal. FIG. 10 shows a user interface for a different user,Fred. In this example, the user, Fred, completed the least percentage ofa goal for sending like. Thus, the message in button 1002 correspondedto Fred's goals for sending likes. Also, because Fred is a subscriber,selecting button 1004 does not take him to an interface for solicitinghim to subscribe to the website (as was the case in FIGS. 8A-8B) and,instead, may take him to an interface for reserving a spot at a liveevent.

A message (e.g., the message shown in buttons 808 and/or 1002) maychange dependent on the time-window in which the analysis is performed.For example, when analyzed within a 30-day window, the user may havecompleted the least percentage toward their goal for initiating likes,thus the message may recite “SEND MORE LIKES” (e.g., as shown in FIG.10). However, the message may change when the user selects the 7-daytime windows because, when analyzed within a 7-day window, the user mayhave completed the least percentage toward their goal for initiatingemails. Thus, in this example, the message may change from “SEND MORELIKES” to “SEND MORE EMAILS” when the user modifies an option to changethe time window (e.g., selecting an option in a toggle button) in whichthe analysis is performed from the 30-day window to the 7-day window.

FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate exemplary graphs of a result of comparing userprofile data to a goal. Each of the graphs is an exemplary graphicaloutput, e.g., generated using logic 600. In addition, each of the graphsis an exemplary representation of a result of comparing user profiledata to a goal (e.g., representation 316 as generated by graphical userinterface generator 314). As an alternative to, or in addition to, thedata shown in the graphs in FIGS. 8A-8D and 10 (i.e., data for winks,favorites, likes, and emails), graphs may be generated based on otherdata. FIG. 11A illustrates an exemplary graph generated based on datafor each of live events (e.g., as indicated by calendar icon 1102),instant messages (e.g., as indicated by message icon 1104), telephonecalls (e.g., as indicated by telephone icon 1106), and invitations tomeet for a drink (e.g., as indicated by wine glass icon 1108). Liveevents may comprise social events where two or more user's meet inperson with the assistance of systems 10 and/or system 300 (e.g., theoff-line component as discussed in reference to FIG. 1 and/or sponsoredby match.com).

In addition, a graph according to the present disclosure may contain anynumber of items (e.g., number of types of communication). For example,the graph in FIG. 11A shows four types of user interactions (e.g., liveevents, instant messages, telephone calls, and invitations to meet for adrink) while the graph in FIG. 11B shows three types of communications(e.g., live events, instant messages, and telephone calls).

The data provided in a graph (or other graphical output orrepresentation) according to the present disclosure may be dynamicallyupdated based on new information. For example, a goal can be removedfrom, or replaced within, a graph based on a user completing the goalthe system. In transition from FIG. 11A to FIG. 11B, a user interfacesystem (e.g., graphical user interface generator 314) removed from thegraph the goal corresponding to invitations to meet for a drink inresponse to the user having completed the number of invitations toachieve the goal. Thus, the icon corresponding to invitations to meetfor a drink (i.e., icon 1108) is not present in FIG. 11B. In addition,the innermost semicircular bar in FIG. 11A has been removed andtherefore is not present in FIG. 11B. In transition from FIG. 11B toFIG. 11C, a user interface system (e.g., graphical user interfacegenerator 314) replaced a complete goal (e.g., a number of live eventscorresponding to icon 1102) with a new goal (e.g., a number ofhand-written letters corresponding to icon 1110).

In FIGS. 11A-11C a result of comparing user profile data to a goal isrepresented using a semicircular bar graph. Other representations may beutilized. For example, FIG. 11D shows a vertical bar graph correspondingto the data shown in the graph of FIG. 11A. FIG. 11E is a pie graphcorresponding to the data shown in the graph of FIG. 11A. In anembodiment, the representation comprises at least one of a meteredrepresentation, a virtual “meter” indicating an amount of progresstoward a goal, a graphical representation that is visually similar to agas meter ranging from zero to one or from Empty (“E”) to Full (“F”),etc. Still other representations may be used, e.g., including but notlimited to the representations as described for representation 316 (inFIG. 3).

A system for user communication in an online community according to thepresent disclosure may be implemented in any device. For example, FIGS.8A-8D and 10 illustrate implementations on a website. However the systemmay be provisioned on a server, a computing device, a mobile device,etc. For example, FIGS. 12A-12C, 13 and 14 illustrate example screenshots that may be provided in an online dating process to facilitatepresentation of information to and receiving input from users tofacilitate communication using a mobile device. FIGS. 12A-12C, 13 and 14also illustrate exemplary user activity of a user on the mobile device.

In FIG. 12A, a user interface, on a mobile device, comprises an array oficons, where each icon corresponds to an application implemented on themobile device. Icon 1202 is an icon for match.com and corresponds to amatch.com application, implemented according to the present disclosure.FIG. 12B shows the user interface of FIG. 12A where icon 1202 has beenoverlaid with graphic 1204. Graphic 1204 include a circle containing thenumber 4, which corresponds to a number of winks that the user must tocomplete (i.e., a deficit) to reach a goal for initiating winks to otherusers. In this example the text (i.e., the number “4” in graphic 1204)represents a number of communications yet to be completed to achieve agoal. The number in graphic 1204 may be determined by comparing datafrom a user profile data with a goal (e.g., with a time-dependent goal)and outputting the result (e.g., the amount of deficit) between the userprofile data and the goal. In an implementation, the number may bedetermined for the goal with the highest percent complete, which is alsothe goal where the least number of communications are needed to completethe goal. In another implementation, the number may be determined forthe goal with the lowest percent complete, which is also the goal wherethe most number of communications are needed to complete the goal. Inother implementations, the number in graphic 1204 may indicate a numberof communications that the user has already completed.

FIG. 12C shows the user interface of FIG. 12A or 12B where the array oficons has been overlaid with pop-up window 1206. Pop-up window 1206comprises title 1208 (i.e., match.com), message 1210 (i.e., “Winks are aquick way of showing your interest.”), and button 1212 (i.e., buttonlabeled “SEND MORE WINKS”). Title 1208 identifies a source of the menuas match.com. Message 1210 provides a description of a type ofcommunication to which the message pertains. In this example, themessage describes winks. In other implementations, the message maydescribe a different type of communication, a plurality of types ofcommunications, and/or other dating information. Button 1212 allows theuser to provide user input in response to the message. For example, theuser may select button 1212 (e.g., by touching the screen in acorresponding area) to indicate a desire to send more communications,which, in this example, comprises sending winks through a match.comapplication. The user may select an area of the screen outside of window1206 to indicate a desire not to send more communications.

Upon receiving a user input indicating a desire to send morecommunications, a system for user communication (e.g., system 300) maygenerate a representation of the data. For example, upon receiving auser selection of icon 1202 or of button 1212, the system may generate arepresentation as shown in either of FIGS. 13 and 14. FIGS. 13 and 14illustrate a representation of a result of comparing user profile datato a goal in a dating network in an exemplary user interface on a mobilephone. In one embodiment, upon receiving a user selection of a userinterface component in FIG. 13, the system may take the user to the userinterface illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 13 illustrates a user interface comprising component 1302 andcommunication interface 1304. Component 1302 comprises graph 1306, icons1308, and swipe arrows 1310. Component 1302 and/or any of theaforementioned items therein, are an exemplary representation of aresult of comparing the user profile data for the user with atime-dependent goal (e.g., generated using logic 600 and/or graphicaluser interface generator 314). Component 1302 may behave in a mannersimilar to representation 804 (as illustrated in FIG. 8A). Uponreceiving a user selection of graph 1306 the system may provide furtherdetails (similar to component 814 in FIG. 8B) on the result of thecomparison. Graph 1306 and/or icons 1308 may be implemented as describedwith respect to any of FIG. 8A-8D or 11A-11E. Graph 1306 and icons 1308correspond to winks, favorites, telephone calls, and emails. Swipearrows 1310 may allow the user to navigate between different timewindows. For example, FIG. 13 illustrates data for a 7-day time window.Selecting swipe arrow 1310 a may cause the system update the displayinga graph of data for a 7-day time window to generate a graph of data fora 30-day time window (similar to the behavior of toggle buttons 816 and840 as illustrated in FIGS. 8B-8D). Communication interface 1304provides indicators for each type of communication represented ininterface 1302 including emails, winks, favorites, and phone calls.

User profile data made advantageously comprise data retrieved from auser's device (e.g., a smart phone or other mobile device) on which theinterface is implemented. For example, the user profile data may includeuser's call data (e.g., call log) retrieved from a mobile phone. Thecall data may be compared to a time-dependent goal of completing anumber of phone calls. In an implementation, an interface on the mobiledevice may solicit the user to allow the interface (or application) toaccess mobile phone data including call data, location data, calendarinformation, etc. for inclusion in the user profile data and/or forprocessing in an analysis. In one example, phone numbers in a user'scall log can be compared to phone numbers stored in other users' datingprofile data to determine the number of calls that the user initiated toother users in a dating website.

In one implementation, upon receiving a user selection of at least aportion of component 1302 (e.g., buttons 1308 or graph 1306), the systemmay provide a list of users that are potential matches with the user andan option for the user to initiate communication with those users. Forexample, FIG. 14 shows an exemplary implementation of such an interface,which maybe generated in response receiving a user selection ofcomponent 1302. The user interface in FIG. 14 comprises user profile1402, buttons 1404, and button 1406. User profile 1402 is for a user(“crazyfresh67”) who is a potential match for a user currently loggedinto the mobile phone application. Buttons 1404 (i.e., buttons labeled“Wink at Her”, “Email Her”, “Add to Favorites”, “Call Her”) to allow theuser to initiate communication with the potential match, crazyfresh67.Upon selecting any of buttons 1404 a system for user communication(e.g., system 300) may immediately generate an interface allowing theuser to compose the communication (e.g., composing an e-mail), or maygenerate and send the communication immediately upon user selectingbutton, and without any further user input (e.g., immediately send awink, immediately add her as a favorite, or immediately call her). Theuser crazyfresh67 is one potential match on the list of users that arepotential matches. The user may select the next button 1406 to navigateto other users on the list of users that are potential matches.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail withreference to particular embodiments, it should be understood thatvarious other changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made heretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.For example, although the present disclosure has been described withreference to a dating protocol, any service that deals with (or thatleverages) profiles, photos, resumes, user information more generally,etc. could readily benefit from the present disclosure.

Moreover, although the present disclosure has been described withreference to a number of elements included within system 10, theseelements may be rearranged or positioned in any appropriate manner toaccommodate any suitable networking configurations. In addition, any ofthe elements of FIG. 1 may be provided as separate external componentsto system 10 or to each other where appropriate.

Although the present disclosure discusses an end user being prompted(e.g., using graphical output and/or messages) to initiate communicationwith other users based on comparing the user's profile data to atime-dependent goal, it is also envisioned that a customer care agent,an end user of the system, may be receive a prompted to initiatecommunication with other users based on another end user's profile data.The graphical output and/or messages may be presented to the customercare agent. Subsequently, the graphical output and/or messages may beforwarded/provided to the end user (e.g., via an online chat widget,over the phone, in an email, or any suitable communication means). Theend user may then act in response to the graphical output and/ormessages. A customer care agent facilitates such a communicationmechanism.

It should also be noted that any of the user profile portions of theplatform can leverage any type of format. Thus, in any aspect of theonline dating process described herein, such as establishing apersonality or user profile, for example, any suitable question format(and thus values for various fields as well) can be employed. Exampleformats include a Yes/No format, a multiple choice question format, ashort answer format, a true/false format, etc. Other formats can readilybe used in order to achieve the desired responses and solicit thenecessary data. Information related to the user profile in these formatsare usable in measuring the end user against a goal.

Note that in certain example implementations, the matching functionsoutlined herein, such as those carried out by web server 16 and/orprovided as an application for an endpoint being operated by an end user(e.g., a mobile application for an iPhone™), may be implemented by logicencoded in one or more non-transitory, tangible media (e.g., embeddedlogic provided in an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”),digital signal processor (“DSP”) instructions, software (potentiallyinclusive of object code and source code) to be executed by a processor,or other similar machine, etc.). In some of these instances, a memory,as shown in FIG. 1, can store data used for the operations describedherein. This includes the memory being able to store software, logic,code, or processor instructions that are executed to carry out theactivities described in this Specification.

A processor can execute any type of instructions associated with thedata to achieve the operations detailed herein in this Specification. Inone example, the processor, as shown in FIG. 1, could transform anelement or an article (e.g., data) from one state or thing to anotherstate or thing. In another example, the activities outlined herein maybe implemented with fixed logic or programmable logic (e.g.,software/computer instructions executed by a processor) and the elementsidentified herein could be some type of a programmable processor,programmable digital logic (e.g., a field programmable gate array(“FPGA”), an erasable programmable read only memory (“EPROM”), anelectrically erasable programmable ROM (“EEPROM”)) or an ASIC thatincludes digital logic, software, code, electronic instructions, or anysuitable combination thereof.

These devices illustrated herein may maintain information in anysuitable memory (random access memory (“RAM”), ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, ASIC,etc.), software, hardware, or in any other suitable component, device,element, or object where appropriate and based on particular needs. Anyof the memory items discussed herein should be construed as beingencompassed within the broad term “memory.” Similarly, any of thepotential processing elements, modules, and machines described in thisSpecification should be construed as being encompassed within the broadterm “processor.” Each of the network elements can also include suitableinterfaces for receiving, transmitting, and/or otherwise communicatingdata or information in a network environment.

Note that with the example provided above, as well as numerous otherexamples provided herein, interaction may be described in terms of morethan one network element. However, this has been done for purposes ofclarity and example only. In certain cases, it may be easier to describeone or more of the functionalities of a given set of flows by onlyreferencing a limited number of network elements. It should beappreciated that systems 10 and 300 (and their teachings) are readilyscalable and can accommodate a large number of components, as well asmore complicated/sophisticated arrangements and configurations.Accordingly, the examples provided should not limit the scope or inhibitthe broad teachings of systems 10 and 300 as potentially applied to amyriad of other architectures.

It is also important to note that the steps (or procedures) in thepreceding flow diagrams illustrate only some of the possible signalingscenarios and patterns that may be executed by, or within, systems 10and/or 300. Some of these steps (or procedures) may be deleted orremoved where appropriate, or these steps may be modified or changedconsiderably without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.In addition, a number of these operations have been described as beingexecuted concurrently with, or in parallel to, one or more additionaloperations. However, the timing of these operations may be alteredconsiderably. The preceding operational flows have been offered forpurposes of example and discussion. Substantial flexibility is providedby systems 10 and 300 in that any suitable arrangements, chronologies,configurations, and timing mechanisms may be provided without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure. Although the presentdisclosure has been described in detail with reference to particulararrangements and configurations, these example configurations andarrangements may be changed significantly without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, andmodifications may be ascertained to one skilled in the art and it isintended that the present disclosure encompass all such changes,substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications as fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims. In order to assist the UnitedStates Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and, additionally, anyreaders of any patent issued on this application in interpreting theclaims appended hereto, Applicant wishes to note that the Applicant: (a)does not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph six (6)of 35 U.S.C. section 112 as it exists on the date of the filing hereofunless the words “means for” or “step for” are specifically used in theparticular claims; and (b) does not intend, by any statement in thespecification, to limit this disclosure in any way that is not otherwisereflected in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving inputs operable toinitiate online communications from a user profile to another userprofile on a dating website; storing, in a memory, a log of the onlinecommunications in user profile data associated with the user profile;generating an interactive graph to increase the online communications bythe user profile based on benchmarks of success on the dating website,the benchmarks of success comprising a time-dependent goal, thegenerating the interactive graph comprising: generating thetime-dependent goal comprising a target number of winks, favorites,emails, and likes to initiate from the user profile toward other userprofiles on the dating website within a period of time, and determininga result based on comparing, by an analysis system, the log of theonline communications in the user profile data with the target number ofwinks, favorites, emails, and likes of the time-dependent goal, theresult comprising a deficit in a number of winks, favorites, emails, andlikes initiated from the user profile based on the time-dependent goal,wherein the deficit is measured within a sliding time window of the userprofile data, and the sliding time window corresponds to the period oftime specified in the time-dependent goal and is measured relative to acurrent date; and increasing the online communications by the userprofile based on the benchmarks of success on the dating website by:displaying the interactive graph based on the result, the interactivegraph comprising: a graphical representation of the deficit in thenumber of winks, favorites, emails, and likes initiated from the userprofile relative to the time-dependent goal, and a button operable togenerate an interface for transmitting an email to a different userprofile based on the time-dependent goal; and transmitting, via theinterface, the email to the different user profile based on thetime-dependent goal, wherein the transmitting the email decreases thedeficit and increases the online communications by the user profilebased on the benchmarks of success.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe target number of winks, favorites, emails, and likes to initiate andthe period of time are generated based on an analysis of user profiledata for at least one further user profile.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: in response to receiving a selection of theinteractive graph, generating a further graphical representation of theresult for simultaneous display with the interactive graph.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein at least one of the interactive graph and thefurther graphical representation comprises at least one of a message, agraph, a semicircular bar graph, a vertical bar graph, a horizontal bargraph, a meter, a button, text output, a completed percentage toward thetime-dependent goal, or an audio signal.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the time-dependent goal comprises a short-term goal valuecorresponding to a short period of time and a long-term goal valuecorresponding to a long period of time.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the short period of time is equal to 7 days, and the long periodof time is equal to 30 days.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomparing comprises: at a first point in time, comparing the userprofile data for the user profile with the time-dependent goal within afirst period of time; and at a second point in time, comparing the userprofile data for the user profile with the time-dependent goal within asecond period of time, wherein the second point in time is subsequent tothe first point in time.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, from the user profile, a selection of a graphical componentcorresponding to a different time-dependent goal, the differenttime-dependent goal being different from the time-dependent goal,wherein the graphical component is one of a plurality of graphicalcomponents located in the interactive graph, and each of the pluralityof graphical components is associated with a correspondingtime-dependent goal; and in response to receiving the selection of thegraphical component corresponding to the different time-dependent goal:determining an updated result by comparing the log of the onlinecommunications in the user profile data with an updated target number ofwinks, favorites, emails, and likes of the different time-dependentgoal, the updated result comprising an updated deficit in the number ofwinks, favorites, emails, and likes initiated from the user profile,wherein the updated deficit is measured within the sliding time windowof the user profile data, and the sliding time window corresponds to anupdated period of time specified in the different time-dependent goal,generating a new interactive graph based on the updated result, andreplacing the interactive graph with the new interactive graph.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the benchmarks of success comprise aplurality of time-dependent goals corresponding to different types ofonline communications, and the interactive graph simultaneouslygraphically represents results for each of the different types of onlinecommunications.
 10. One or more non-transitory computer-readable mediathat includes code for execution and, when executed by a processor, isoperable to perform operations comprising: receiving inputs operable toinitiate online communications from a user profile to another userprofile on a dating website; storing a log of the online communicationsin user profile data associated with the user profile; generating aninteractive graph to increase the online communications by the userprofile based on benchmarks of success on the dating website, thebenchmarks of success comprising a time-dependent goal, wherein thegenerating the interactive graph comprises: generating thetime-dependent goal comprising a target number of winks, favorites,emails, and likes to initiate from the user profile toward other userprofiles on the dating website within a period of time, and determininga result based on comparing the log of the online communications in theuser profile data with the target number of winks, favorites, emails,and likes of the time-dependent goal, the result comprising a deficit ina number of winks, favorites, emails, and likes initiated from the userprofile based on the time-dependent goal, wherein the deficit ismeasured within a sliding time window of the user profile data, and thesliding time window corresponds to the period of time specified in thetime-dependent goal and is measured relative to a current date; andincreasing the online communications by the user profile based on thebenchmarks of success on the dating website by: displaying theinteractive graph based on the result, the interactive graph comprising:a graphical representation of the deficit in the number of winks,favorites, emails, and likes initiated from the user profile relative tothe time-dependent goal, and a button operable to generate an interfacefor transmitting an email to a different user profile based on thetime-dependent goal; and transmitting, via the interface, the email tothe different user profile based on the time-dependent goal, wherein thetransmitting the email decreases the deficit and increases the onlinecommunications by the user profile based on the benchmarks of success.11. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10,wherein the target number of winks, favorites, emails, and likesinitiated and the period of time are predetermined based on an analysisof user profile data for at least one further user profile.
 12. The oneor more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein thetime-dependent goal comprises a short-term goal value corresponding to ashort period of time and a long-term goal value corresponding to a longperiod of time.
 13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 12, wherein the short period of time is equal to 7 days,and the long period of time is equal to 30 days.
 14. The one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving, from the user profile, aselection of a graphical component corresponding to a differenttime-dependent goal, the different time-dependent goal being differentfrom the time-dependent goal, wherein the graphical component is one ofa plurality of graphical components located in the interactive graph,and each of the plurality of graphical components is associated with acorresponding time-dependent goal; and in response to receiving theselection of the graphical component corresponding to the differenttime-dependent goal: determining an updated result by comparing the logof the online communications in the user profile data with an updatedtarget number of winks, favorites, emails, and likes of the differenttime-dependent goal, the updated result comprising an updated deficit inthe number of winks, favorites, emails, and likes initiated from theuser profile, wherein the updated deficit is measured within the slidingtime window of the user profile data, and the sliding time windowcorresponds to an updated period of time specified in the differenttime-dependent goal, generating a new interactive graph based on theupdated result, and replacing the interactive graph with the newinteractive graph.
 15. The one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 10, wherein: the benchmarks of success comprise aplurality of time-dependent goals corresponding to different types ofonline communications, and the interactive graph simultaneouslygraphically represents results for each of the different types of onlinecommunications.
 16. A system comprising: a memory; a processor coupledto the memory, the processor configured to: receive inputs operable toinitiate online communications from a user profile to another userprofile on a dating website, store, in the memory, a log of the onlinecommunications in user profile data associated with the user profile,and generate an interactive graph to increase the online communicationsby the user profile based on benchmarks of success on the datingwebsite, the benchmarks of success comprising a time-dependent goal, thegenerating the interactive graph comprising: generating thetime-dependent goal comprising a target number of winks, favorites,emails, and likes to initiate from the user profile toward other userprofiles on the dating website within a period of time, and determininga result based on comparing the log of the online communications in theuser profile data with the target number of winks, favorites, emails,and likes of the time-dependent goal, the result comprising a deficit ina number of winks, favorites, emails, and likes initiated from the userprofile based on the time-dependent goal, wherein the deficit ismeasured within a sliding time window of the user profile data, and thesliding time window corresponds to the period of time specified in thetime-dependent goal and is measured relative to a current date; and auser interface system configured to increase the online communicationsby the user profile based on the benchmarks of success on the datingwebsite by: displaying the interactive graph based on the result, theinteractive graph comprising: a graphical representation of the deficitin the number of winks, favorites, emails, and likes initiated from theuser profile relative to the time-dependent goal, and a button operableto generate an interface for transmitting an email to a different userprofile based on the time-dependent goal; and transmitting, via theinterface, the email to the different user profile based on thetime-dependent goal, wherein the transmitting the email decreases thedeficit and increases the online communications by the user profilebased on the benchmarks of success.
 17. The system of claim 16, whereinthe time-dependent goal comprises a short-term goal value correspondingto a short period of time and a long-term goal value corresponding to along period of time.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the shortperiod of time is equal to 7 days, and the long period of time is equalto 30 days.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the user interfacesystem is further configured to: receive, from the user profile, aselection of a graphical component corresponding to a differenttime-dependent goal, the different time-dependent goal being differentfrom the time-dependent goal, wherein the graphical component is one ofa plurality of graphical components located in the interactive graph,and each of the plurality of graphical components is associated with acorresponding time-dependent goal; and in response to receiving theselection of the graphical component corresponding to the differenttime-dependent goal: determining an updated result by comparing the logof the online communications in the user profile data with an updatedtarget number of winks, favorites, emails, and likes of the differenttime-dependent goal, the updated result comprising an updated deficit inthe number of winks, favorites, emails, and likes initiated from theuser profile, wherein the updated deficit is measured within the slidingtime window of the user profile data, and the sliding time windowcorresponds to an updated period of time specified in the differenttime-dependent goal, generate a new interactive graph based on theupdated result, and replace the interactive graph with the newinteractive graph.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein: the benchmarksof success comprise a plurality of time-dependent goals corresponding todifferent types of online communications, and the interactive graphsimultaneously graphically represents results for each of the differenttypes of online communications.